® 0^19  (g) 


MISSIONARY  HAND-BOOK<NO.  5.  ' 

AmenGan  Metioflst  Misnions. 


MISSIONS  OF  TJECE  M.  k.  C.^  S. 

G-H-l-N-A  M-I-S-S-I-0-N‘. 

No.  1. 


/v.  1 


AUGUST,  laoi. 


Published  by  Board  of  Missions,  M.  E.  Church,  South. 


FOR  OSE  op  SURDBY-SCHOOUS,  CPUIORTH  UEBOUES,  BRD 
PERSONS  desiring  miSSIONBRY  INFORmBTlON- 


I.  G.  JOHN,  D.D., 

'M.isslon  Jtoomsy  y^ashville,  Tenu» 


© 61a0 


. f 


i Y n A 


K 


MISSIONARY  HAND-BOOK. 


Tius  little  book  is  designed  for  the  use  of  Sunday- 
scboolf,  aspecially  the  teachers  and  more  advanced 
classes,  Epworth  Leagues,  and  preachers  and  others 
desiring  to  prepare  sermons  or  addresses  who  may  not 
have  access  to  a missionary  library.  Our  design  is  to 
place  in  a cheap,  compact,  and  convenient  form  infor- 
mation as  to  the  history  and  operations  of  our  own 
Church,  and  of  the  Societies  and  Boards  at  work  in 
the  m.ission  field.  It  will  be  published  monthly. 

Terms:  Single  copy,  o cents;  12  copies,  50  cents;  for  ^ 
one  year,  50  cents.  ' 

Will  mail  them  to  Sunday-schools  and  Leagues,  or  to 
))reachers,  for  sale  and  distribution  at  the  above 
figures.  Address 

I.  G.  JOHN,  D.D., 


Mission  RoomS) 


NASErraLI-E,  TENN. 


MISSIONARY  HAND-BOOK  NO.  5 


American  Methodist  Missions. 

MlSSIO.\S  OP  THE  M.  E.  C.,  S. 

CHINK  7UVISSION. 

No.  1. 


AUGUST,  1891. 


PUBLISHED  BY  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS,  M.  E.  CHURCH,  SOUTH. 

For  Use  of  .Similaj'-schools,  Epwovth  I-eajfues,  and  Persons 
Desiring  Missionary  Information. 


I.  G.  xJOHN.  D.D., 

Mission  Kooms,  y^asiiville,  Tenn. 


Copyright,  1891. 


Nashville,  Tekn.; 

Publishing  House  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 
Barbee  & Smith,  Agents. 

1891. 


♦ 


% 


4 , ’ 


'41' 


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1 


} 


AMERICAN  METHODIST  MISSIONS. 

MISSIONS  OF  THE  M.  E.  C.,  S. 


China  Mission. 

No.  1. 

Many  complain  that  missions  in  China  do 
not  compare  favorably  with  those  in  other 
lands.  While  missionary  operations  were 
opened  among  the  Chinese  early  in  the  pres- 
ent century,  the  results  have  been  far  less 
than  those  reported  from  India  and  the  South 
Sea  Islands.  There  are  causes  for  these  re- 
sults. It  will  be  conceded  by  all  familiar  with 
modern  Missions  that  China  is  one  of  the 
most  difficult  of  all  the  foreign  fields.  As  a 
people  the  Chinese  are  intensely  conservative. 
Their  profound  veneration  for  their  ancestral 
customs  and  religion  leads  them  to  regard 
with  suspicion  and  contempt  the  institutions 
and  innovations  of  other  and  younger  nations. 
Their  religions  have  degenerated  into  de- 
basing superstitions,  from  which  all  true  con- 
ceptions of  God  and  immortality  have  been 
blotted  out;  hence  they  turn  to  this  life  as 

(3) 


4 American  Methodist  Missions. 

their  highest  good.  China  may  be  considered 
the  stronghold  of  the  “ God  of  this  world.” 
It  may  be  the  last  battle-field  between  the 
true  faith  and  false  religions. 

Their  resistance  to  Christianity  has  been 
strengthened  by  their  deep  sense  of  the 
wrongs  they  have  suffered  from  leading  Chris- 
tian powers.  Many  years  of  missionary  toil 
and  sacrifice  will  be  needed  to  efface  from  the 
Chinese  mind  the  impressions  made  by  the 
iniquitous  policy  of  England  wfith  reference 
to  the  opium  trade. 

Again,  in  estimating  the  results  of  mission- 
ary operations  in  China,  we  must  bear  in  mind 
the  fact  that  prior  to  1844  the  empire  was 
sealed  against  labors  of  the  missionary.  Dur- 
ing that  year  the  imperial  decrees  prohibiting, 
under  heavy  penalties,  the  profession  of  Chris- 
tianity by  the  natives  were  partially  removed, 
and  the  missionary  allowed  to  prosecute  his 
work  in  the  five  ports  of  Canton,  Amoy,  Foo- 
chow, Ningpo,  and  Shanghai.  They  were 
still  “ prohibited  from  going  into  the  interior 
to  propagate  religion.”  It  was  not  until  1858 
that  these  restrictions  were  removed  and 
China  opened  to  the  gospel.  In  1800  there 
were  about  1,600  converts;  in  1890  there 
were  upward  of  38,000. 


b 


Missions  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S. 

Previous  to  the  division  of  Episcopal  Meth- 
odism in  1844,  the  thoughts  of  leading  minis- 
ters and  members  in  the  Southern  Confer- 
ences were  drawn  toward  China  as  a mission 
field.  In  1843  Rev.  Charles  Taylor,  then  in 
his  first  year  in  the  South  Carolina  Conference, 
informed  his_  presiding  elder.  Dr.  William  Ca- 
pers, that  if  the  Church  decided  to  open  a Mis- 
sion in  China,  he  was  ready  to  go.  The  division 
of  the  Church  for  a time  diverted  attention 
from  the  movement;  but  the  Louisville  Conven- 
tion having  fully  committed  Southern  Method- 
ism to  the  cause  of  Foreign  Missions,  the  sub- 
ject was  promptly  revived.  The  Church  press, 
led  by  the  Southern  Christian  Advocate,  warmly 
advocated  the  Mission;  it  became  the  chief 
topic  at  Annual  Conference  missionary  anni- 
versaries; preachers  echoed  the  call  in  behalf 
of  China  from  their  pulpits,  and  the  Church 
began  to  respond  with  donations  and  pledges 
for  its  support.  The  General  Conference  that 
met  in  1846,  without  a dissenting  voice,  gave 
the  Mission  its  indorsement,  and  the  Board 
and  the  bishops  at  once  decided  to  carry  out 
the  manifest  wish  of  the  Church. 

Revs.  Charles  Taylor  and  Benjamin  Jen- 
kins, both  of  the  South  Carolina  Conference, 
were  appointed  to  the  China  Mission,  and  or- 


G Aiitcrican  Methodist  Missions. 

clained  elders  by  Bishop  Andrew,  in  Norfolk, 
Va.,  February  27, 1848.  Closing  his  sermon  on 
the  occasion,  the  bishop  expressed  his  regret 
that,  “instead  of  a forlorn  hope  of  two  mis- 
sionaries to  be  sent  from  the  Southern  Meth- 
odist Church,  it  was  not  in  his  power  to  send  a 
baud  of  fifty  faithful  men  to  the  benighted 
millions  of  the  Flowery  Kingdom.”  When 
shall  the  wish  of  the  bishop  find  fulfillment? 

Beferriug  to  the  appointment  of  Taylor  and 
Jenkins  to  their  distant  field,  the  Southern 
Christian  Adrocute  styled  the  South  Carolina 
Conference  the  “ Old  Missionary  Conference.” 
The  claim  was  just.  Having  pioneered  the 
missions  among  the  Southern  Indians  and 
slaves,  two  of  her  sons  had  consented  to  go 
forth  as  the  first  standard-bearers  of  the  cross 
from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South, 
in  foreign  lands. 

April  24,  1848,  the  two  missionaries  and 
their  wives  stood  on  the  deck  of  the  little  ship 
“Cleone,”  in  Boston  Harbor.  A little  group 
of  Methodists  of  that  city  joined  with  them 
in  singing  the  missionary  hymn,  a prayer  was 
offered  in  their  behalf,  and  they  sailed  on  a 
mission  from  which  one  of  their  company 
would  never  return  to  her  native  land.  A 
voyage  to  China  in  the  slow  sailing  vessels  of 


7 


Missions  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S. 

that  day  was  a different  affair  from  the  elegant 
cars  and  first-class  steamers  that  now  bear 
them  swiftly  across  continent  and  ocean.  The 
cabin  of  the  “ Cleone”  was  ten  by  fourteen  feet 
in  size  and  seven  feet  in  height.  The  state- 
rooms were  six  feet  by  four,  with  berths  t\^o 
feet  ill  width,  leaving  the  same  space  for 
washing  and  dressing.  They  attempted  relig- 
ious services  for  several  Sabbaths,  but  tlie 
officers  of  the  ship  made  their  efforts  so  un- 
pleasant that  they  were  discontinued. 

August  12,  1848,  after  a voyage  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixteen  days,  they  anchored  at  Hong 
Kong.  Owing  to  the  illness  of  his  Avife,  Dr. 
Jenkins  was  detained  here  until  the  following 
May.  Dr.  Taylor  and  his  Avife  proceeded  up 
the  coast  to  Shanghai,  which  had  been  select- 
ed as  their  field.  He  reached  his  destination 
in  September,  1848.  After  a diligent  search 
of  two  weeks,  a native  residence  was  secured, 
which  they  rendered  as  habitable  as  their 
means  allowed.  Dr.  Jenkins  joined  his  col- 
league in  May,  1849.  He  had  made  two  at- 
tempts to  come  up  the  coast,  but  had  encoun- 
tered heavy  typhoons  and  narroAvly  escaped 
shipwreck. 

Their  report  for  1849  shows  them  diligently 
studying  the  language  and  engaged  in  the  dis- 


8 American  Methodist  Missions. 

tribution  of  such,  tracts  and  books  iii  the 
Chinese  language  as  their  means  enabled  them 
to  obtain.  Dr.  Taylor  succeeded  in  purchas- 
ing a plat  of  ground  a third  of  an  acre  in  ex- 
tent on  the  bank  of  the  Yaug-king-jiang,  near 
a narrow  wooden  bridge,  and  built  on  it  a 
temporary  dwelling.  Though  small,  it  was 
mo]'e  convenient  and  healthy  than  the  Chi- 
nese house  tliey  had  occupied.  The  next  year 
he  managed  to  purchase  a small  addition  to 
the  lot,  and  with  assistance  from  the  Church 
at  home  was  able  to  enlarge  the  mission  house 
and  build  a chapel  that  would  seat  150  Chi- 
nese. The  first  service  in  it  was  held  by  Dr. 
Taylor  in  January,  1850.  The  stream  near  the 
house  was  usually  alive  with  boats  and  the 
bridge  often  thronged  with  people.  Every 
day  the  door  of  the  chapel  was  opened  and 
passers-by  invited  to  come  in  and  hear  the 
“ Jesus  doctrines.”  The  location  being  out- 
side the  city  walls,  our  brethren  did  not  pos- 
sess the  advantages  enjoyed  by  other  mission- 
aries whose  Boards  had  been  able  to  provide 
for  them  commodious  chapels  in  the  city. 
They  were  glad  to  be  permitted  to  preach  for 
their  missionary  brethren  when  ill  or  absent, 
and  to  address  large  crowds  in  the  temples  or 
other  places  of  public  resort.  They  were 


9 


Missions  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S. 

greatly  encouraged  by  the  interest  manifest 
on  such  occasions.  Two  schools  established 
by  Dr.  Taylor  the  previous  year  were  still 
prospering,  though  interrupted  by  small-pox. 
They  contained  together  thirty  scholars. 
Both  teachers  and  scholars  were  assembled 
every  Sabbath  in  the  chapel  for  religious  serv- 
ice and  instruction.  Preaching  trips  were 
made  to  adjoining  towns  and  cities.  Among 
these  they  mention  Soochow,  ninety  miles 
north-west  of  Shanghai.  In  the  midst  of 
other  duties,  Dr.  Taylor  found  time  to  answer 
calls  for  medical  attention,  which  opened  the 
way  for  religious  instruction. 

In  1851  the  hearts  of  the  missionaries  re- 
joiced over  the  first  fruits  of  their  toil.  Liew- 
sun-sang.  Dr,  Jenkins’  teacher,  and  his  wife 
renounced  Buddhism  and  accepted  the  religion 
of  Christ.  He  had  applied  for  baptism  six 
months  before,  but  was  held  on  probation  un- 
til the  missionaries  were  fully  satisfied  as  to 
the  sincerity  of  his  change  of  faith  and  life. 
A large  company  of  Chinese  filled  the  chapel 
when  he  and  his  wife  were  baptized.  At  the 
end  of  the  service  Liew  ascended  the  pulpit 
and  addressed  the  congregation,  setting  forth 
his  reasons  for  abandoning  idolatry  and  em- 
bracing Christ.  He  soon  commenced  preach- 


10  American  Methodist  Missions. 

iiig  on  Sundays  in  the  chapel,  and  during  the 
week  “ in  the  large  inclosure  of  the  temple 
dedicated  to  the  tutelary  guardian  of  the  city.” 
Often  hundreds  listened  to  his  message.  Dr. 
Cunningham  thus  mentions  our  first  native 
preacher;  “He  possessed  a vigorous  mind, 
quick  apprehension,  ready  and  fluent  utter- 
ance, with  a warm  and  noble  heart.  His  min- 
istry w^as  greatly  blessed.  His  death,  which 
occurred  in  1866,  was  mourned  by  mission- 
aries and  native  Christians  as  a great  loss  to 
the  general  cause  of  Christ.” 

Both  the  missionary  families  were  called 
to  bury  a little  babe.  They  sleep  near  to- 
gether in  the  British  cemetery. 

The  work  was  greatly  embarrassed  by  lack 
of  proper  facilities  for  mission  work.  Dr. 
Taylor,  having  exhausted  his  stock  of  med- 
icines, was  obliged  to  send  his  patients  to  the 
hospital  of  the  London  Missionary  Society. 
Not  being  able  to  sustain  his  two  schools,  one 
was  closed.  Among  the  trials  of  the  mission- 
ary, few  are  more  painful  than  the  absence  of 
means  with  which  to  sustain  a prosperous 
work,  or  to  avail  himself  of  opportunities  for 
eidargement  which  are  so  often  presented. 
Among  other  plans  Dr.  Taylor  pi’oposed  at 
that  period  was  a boarding-school  for  boys 


11 


Missiutia  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S. 

and  another  for  girls.  He  also  suggested  the 
employment  of  single  ladies  as  teachers,  being 
sure  that  the  children  would  be  easily  con- 
trolled by  them. 

On  the  12th  of  May,  1852,  Rev.  W.  G.  E. 
Cunnyngham  and  wife  sailed  for  China.  They 
reached  their  destination  October  18.  Their 
arrival  was  timely.  The  health  of  Mrs.  Tay- 
lor had  failed.  She  was  unwilling  to  recall 
her  husband  from  his  great  work,  but  her 
physicians  said  she  must  return  home  if  she 
would  prolong  her  life.  She  sailed  with  her 
children,  hoping  some  day  to  return  to  the 
Mission,  and  her  husband  in  his  loneliness  re- 
sumed his  burden.  Later  in  the  year  the 
health  of  Mrs.  Jenkins  yielded  to  the  climate. 
Dr.  Jenkins,  with  his  family,  sailed  for  the 
United  States  some  two  weeks  after  the  ar- 
rival of  Brother  Cunnyngham.  They  had 
waited  too  long.  Mrs.  Jenkins  died  on  the 
voyage,  and  sleeps  in  the  sea.  As  Brother 
Cunnyngham  was  engaged  in  acquiring  the 
language,  the  chief  burden  of  the  mission  for 
a time  rested  on  Dr.  Taylor.  Very  earnestly 
he  appealed  to  the  Board  for  means  with 
which  to  place  the  Mission  in  position  for  per- 
manent and  effective  work.  A well-appointed 
chapel  within  the  walls  of  the  city  was  of  spe- 


12  American  Methodist  Missions. 

cial  importance.  Dr.  Taylor  mentions  the 
fact  that  during  the  four  years  he  had  been  in 
China  five  other  Boards  had  bought  lots  and 
built  churches  within  the  city,  while  our  little 
chapel  outside  the  walls  was  wholly  inad- 
equate to  the  wants  of  the  growing  work. 
This  brief  statement  may  furnish  another  rea- 
son why  the  Mission  in  China  has  not  meas- 
ured up  to  the  expectations  of  many  Chris- 
tians at  home.  Though  their  ranks  had  been 
thinned,  the  missionaries  worked  bravely  on. 
Dr.  Cunnyngham  wrote:  “We  see  enough 
around  us  to  awaken  the  deepest  sympathies 
of  our  hearts.  Could  Christians  at  home 
spend  the  day  with  us  in  this  pagan  land,  no 
sermon  or  missionary  address  would  be  need- 
ed to  induce  them  to  do  their  duty  in  giving  of 
the  abundance  with  which  God  has  blessed 
them  to  support  the  missionary  or  distribute 
the  word  of  life.” 

The  year  1853  brouglit  unexpected  troubles 
to  the  Mission.  The  empire  was  convulsed 
by  the  Taiping  rebellion.  Nanking  ajid  Chin- 
kiang  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  insur- 
gents. While  at  the  latter  place  they  were 
visited  by  Dr.  Taylor,  who  had  several  inter- 
views with  one  of  their  leaders.  They  had 
portions  of  the  Bible,  and  some  knowledge  of 


13 


Missions  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S. 

Christ,  and  were  opposed  to  idol  worshij). 
These  facts  led  the  missionaries  to  hope  that 
tlie  revolution  would  result  in  the  overthrow 
of  idolatry  and  the  early  establishment  of 
Christianity.  These  hopes  were  not  realized. 
The  leader  in  the  outset  of  the  movement, 
with  defective  views  of  the  gospel,  may  have 
been  sincere  in  his  earlier  teachings;  but  the 
movement  soon  fell  under  the  control  of  am- 
bitious men  who  sought  to  use  it  for  the  ov- 
erthrow of  the  government  and  the  establish- 
ment of  a new  dynasty.  During  the  year  a 
band  of  insurgents,  professing  to  be  acting  in 
concert  with  Taiping,  captured  Shanghai. 
The  mayor  of  the  city  was  killed,  the  public 
officers  seized,  the  records  destroyed,  and  a 
sort  of  military  government  established.  All 
business  was  susi^ended  and  all  missionary 
work,  except  the  distribution  of  books,  was 
broken  up. 

About  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  insur- 
gents in  Shanghai,  Dr.  Taylor,  learning  that 
the  continued  ill  health  of  his  wife  left  no 
hope  of  her  return  to  China,  very  reluctantly 
sailed  for  the  United  States.  Brother  Cun- 
nyngham,  who  had  by  this  time  acquired  the 
language  and  was  well  qualified  to  manage  the 
affairs  of  the  Mission,  soon  found  himself  in 


14  American  Metltodist  Missions. 

the  midst  of  formidable  difficulties.  The  im- 
perial troops  charged  with  the  task  of  retak- 
ing Shanghai  were  soon  before  its  walls.  On 
the  29th  of  September  the  first  attack  was 
made  in  fnll  view  from  his  house,  and  wdthin 
three  hundred  yards  of  his  fence.  Battles 
were  now  a daily  occurrence.  On  the  ap- 
jn-oach  of  the  imperial  army  the  missionary 
ladies  in  the  neighborhood  of  our  mission, 
and  those  Avithin  the  city,  were  removed  across 
the  canal,  where  Brother  Cunnyngham  and 
family  found  a welcome  in  the  house  of  Mr. 
Nelson,  of  the  Episcopal  Mission.  For  three 
weeks  Brother  Cunnyngham  remainedat  home, 
in  the  midst  of  the  fighting,  to  guard  the  house 
and  property  of  the  Mission.  He  Avas  often  in 
great  danger.  The  house  Avas  seriously  in- 
jured by  the  cannonading  from  the  city  AV’alls. 
The  roof  was  shattered  and  the  wall  pierced 
by  balls.  One  day  Brother  Cunnyingham 
was  sufPering  from  a severe  headache,  and 
to  secure  quiet  and  relief  he  went  oA^er  the 
canal  to  the  house  of  his  friend,  Mr.  Nel- 
son, where  his  family  had  found  refuge. 
He  was  too  ill  to  return  that  night.  In 
the  morning  when  he  reached  home  he  found 
that  the  wall  of  the  building  had  been 
pierced  by  a cannon-ball,  his  bed  coA'ered 


15 


Missions  of  the  M.  E.  S. 

with  moi’tar  and  brick,  and  a twelve-ponnd 
cannon-ball  lying  within  a few  inches  of  the 
pillow  on  which  his  head  usually  rested.  It 
had  buried  itself  about  half  its  diameter  in 
the  wall  and  rebounded  back  on  the  bed. 
Had  Brother  Cunnyngham  been  in  his  usual 
place,  the  messenger  of  death  would  have 
plowed  through  the  length  of  his  body.  On 
another  occasion  when  closing  the  gates  of  the 
mission  premises  at  night  he  felt  on  his  cheek 
the  wind  of  a two-ounce  ball  from  a “gingal,” 
a long-range  gun  used  by  the  Chinese.  It 
cut  down  a bamboo  a few  feet  from  his  face. 
God  holds  his  servants  in  the  palm  of  his 
hand. 

Liew,  the  native  preacher,  had  to  fly  from 
the  city,  leaving  his  little  property,  which  was 
all  destroyed.  Speaking  of  these  times.  Broth- 
er Cunnyngham  wrote;  “But  little  mission 
work  could  be  done  while  hostile  armies  were 
struggling  for  the  city.  The  country  for 
miles  was  devastated;  villages,  towns,  and 
hamlets  laid  in  ashes;  and  Shanghai  crowded 
with  soldiers  and  refugees.  Two  of  our  mis- 
sion houses  and  our  only  chapel  were  burned 
to  the  ground.”  Dark  as  were  these  days,  the 
faith  of  our  solitary  sentinel  did  not  falter. 
Writing  to  the  Board  in  the  midst  of  these 


16  American  Methodist  Missions, 

troubles,  he  said:  “AVheii  peace  retiiims,  \re 
liope  to  redouble  our  diligence  and  by  the 
blessing  of  God  to  do  something  for  the  mul- 
titudes around  us.  We  feel  alone  in ‘this 
vast  wilderness.  Uo  send  us  help.  We  will 
not  always  be  in  war.” 

In  the  autumn  of  1854  Brother  Cunnyng- 
ham  and  wife,  who  had  held  their  ground  “ in 
the  midst  of  alarms,”  were  rejoiced  by  the  ar- 
rival of  Dr.  Jenkins,  accompanied  by  Revs. 
D.  C.  Kelley,  M.D.,  J.  W.  Lambnth,  and  J.  L. 
Belton  and  their  wives.  Brother  Cunnyngham 
had  been  made  Superintendent  of  the  Mission. 
Vigorous  efPorts  were  made  to  repair  the  in- 
juries the  property  had  suffered  during  the 
war,  and  to  organize  on  a broader  scale  the 
general  work  of  the  Mission.  The  new  mis- 
sionaries entered  diligently  on  the  study  of  the 
language.  All  were  hopeful  that  the  war 
would  soon  end,  and  the  operations  of  the 
Mission  could  be  carried  into  the  interior. 
But  the  clouds  had  not  all  cleared  away. 

The  fatal  climate  again  began  its  deadly 
wmrk.  In  1855  the  health  of  Brother  Belton 
failed  so  rapidly  that  his  return  home  was 
necessary  if  his  life  was  prolonged.  He 
sailed  in  November  with  his  wife,  and  reached 
New  York  in  time  to  die  and  be  biiried  in  his 


17 


Missions  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S. 

native  soil.  Our  brethren  of  the  Northern 
Church  ministered  tenderly  at  his  bedside, 
and  laid  him,  as  a brother  beloved,  in  his  fi- 
nal resting-place. 

Early  in  October,  embracing  the  first  Sab- 
bath of  the  month,  the  brethren  engaged  in 
the  services  of  the  first  Quarterly  Conference 
ever  held  by  our  Church  in  Asia.  Brother 
Cunnyngham  preached  on  Friday,  Saturday, 
and  on  Sunday  morning.  In  the  afternoon  he 
baptized  a woman  who  had  long  been  a serv- 
ant in  his  family,  and  in  whose  sincerity  he 
had  implicit  faith. 

It  became  evident  in  1856  that  the  delicate 
health  of  Mrs.  Kelley  was  yielding  under  the 
trying  climate  of  Shanghai,  and  she  must  re- 
turn home  or  be  buried  in  that  distant  land. 
Dr.  Kelley  felt  constrained  to  return  home 
with  his  family.  Their  little  daughter  died 
on  the  voyage,  and  was  buried  in  the  sea.  The 
three  remaining  missionaries  averaged  sixty 
sermons  a month  at  their  three  small  chapels, 
besides  distributing  books  and  itinerating 
through  the  adjacent  country.  Three  schools 
were  maintained:  a male  school  in  charge  of 
Brother  Cunnyngham,  and  two  female  schools, 
one  under  charge  of  Mrs.  Cuuuyugham  and 
the  other  of  Mrs.  Lambuth.  Brother  Lam- 
2 Cl 


18  American  Methodist  Missions. 

butli  erected  a small  scliool-house  near  his 
dwelling,  with  accommodations  for  ten  or 
twelve  hoarders,  and  soon  Mrs.  Lamhuth  had 
eight  little  girls  living  with  her.  Brother  Cuu- 
nyngham,  in  his  report,  calls  special  attention 
to  the  importance  of  female  schools.  “ Indi- 
viduals,” he  said,  “may  become  converts  to 
Christianity,  but  until  the  mothers  become 
Christians  the  homes  must  remain  pagan.” 
During  the  year  Brother  Lambuth  made  a 
twelve  days’  tour  in  the  interior,  preaching 
daily,  distributing  Testaments  and  tracts,  find- 
ing an  open  door  in  all  the  villages  and  towns. 

The  reports  for  1857  tell  of  good  congrega- 
tions, while  the  schools  were  increasing  in 
number,  and  several  applications  for  admis- 
sion into  the  Chiirch  were  received.  Dr. 
Cunnyngham  and  family,  in  company  with 
two  other  missionary  families,  made  a trip  of 
some  two  hundred  miles  into  the  interior,  vis- 
iting among  other  places  the  ancient  city  of 
Hangchow,  one  of  the  strongholds  of  Bud- 
dhism. They  preached,  distributed  books, 
and  conversed  with  priest  and  people  without 
let  or  hinderance.  The  barriers  in  China  were 
breaking  down. 

The  treaty  of  1858  having  provided  that 
Christianity,  whether  Protestant  or  Eoinan 


19 


Missions  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S. 

Catholic;  should  be  tolerated  throughout  the 
empire,  our  missionaries  began  to  push  out 
into  the  regions  beyond.  They  were  now  free 
not  only  to  preach  the  gospel,  but  establish 
mission  homes^  Churches,  and  schools.  A 
new  era  had,  \nider  the  hand  of  God,  opened 
to  the  laborers  in  this  vast  empire.  Dr.  Cun- 
nyngham  again  calls  attention  to  the  city  of 
Hangchow,  and  urges  the  early  extension  of 
our  lines.  Brother  Lambuth  reports  encour- 
agingly of  evangelical  work.  His  teacher, 
Shu,  and  his  wife  were  baptized.  The  Mis- 
sion now  reported  ten  native  members,  with  sev- 
eral on  trial.  Some  of  the  native  converts  were 
active  in  seeking  out  those  who  were  inter- 
ested respecting  the  “Jesus  doctrine,”  and 
bringing  them  to  Church.  Brother  Cunnyng- 
ham  and  family  were  much  hindered  in  their 
work  by  sickness.  He  wrote:  “More  than 
six  years’  residence  in  this  wretched  climate 
has  greatly  tried  our  physical  constitutions. 
We  have  seen  thirty-seven  missionaries  sail 
from  Shanghai  for  their  native  land,  only 
eight  of  whom  had  been  in  the  field  as  long  as 
we  have.  We  have  much  cause  for  thankful- 
ness to  God.” 

In  1859  it  was  decided  to  open  a mission  in 
Soochow,  about  ninety  miles  north-west  from 


20 


American  Mefhod'ist  Missions. 


Shanghai.  Its  position  as  a commercial  and 
literary  emporium  suggested  its  importance  as 
a missionary  center.  The  dialects  of  Soochow 
and  Shanghai  were  so  nearly  the  same  that 
our  missionaries  would  lose  no  time  in  pre- 
paring for  w’ork.  As  the  prejudices  of  the 
people  of  Soochow  were  at  this  time  so  strong 
that  no  foreigner  could  rent  a house,  it  was 
decided  to  send  the  native  preacher,  Liew,  to 
pioneer  the  work.  Although  the  Chinese 
world  was  still  full  of  “ wars  and  rumors  of 
wars,”  the  work  went  on.  Brother  Lambuth 
opened  a Sunday-school  Avith  from  twenty- 
five  to  thirty  scholars.  They  found  the  class- 
meeting  admirably  suited  to  the  wants  of  the 
Chinese  converts.  A weekly  prayer-meeting 
was  commenced.  The  brethren  were  encour- 
aged by  the  readiness  Avdth  which  the  converts 
took  up  the  cross  and  prayed  without  hesita- 
tion when  called  on.  They  reported  eleA’en 
members  this  year,  including  the  native 
preacher.  Some  of  the  other  missions  had 
been  greatly  damaged  by  their  haste  in  ad- 
mitting members.  Numbers  could  not  be  re- 
lied on  as  the  criterion  of  success.  Careful  in 
the  admission  of  members,  our  Mission  seldom 
lost  one. 

Our  little  band  were  greatly  cheered  by  the 


21 


Missions  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S. 

arrival,  on  July  13,  18G0,  of  Kevs.  Y.  J.  Allen 
and  M.  L.  Wood,  after  a voyage  of  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  days  from  New  York 
to  Hong  Kong.  Hangchow  had  been  fixed 
upon  as  their  field  of  labor,  but  afiairs  in 
China  were  so  unsettled  that  it  was  deemed 
wise  for  them  to  remain  for  a time  at  least  in 
Shanghai,  and  commence  the  study  of  the  lan- 
guage. The  Taipiiig  insurgents  had  taken 
Chaug-chow  and  Soochow,  and  in  July  they 
visited  Shanghai.  “ They  approached  us,” 
wrote  Dr.  Cunnyngham,  “ through  the  flames 
and  smoke  of  burning  villages  and  hamlets, 
laden  with  spoil,  and  stained  with  the  blood 
of  innocent  men,  women,  and  children;  their 
retreat  was  marked  by  the  most  revolting 
scenes  of  cruelty  and  beastly  outrage  upon  the 
helpless  towns  through  which  they  passed.” 
They  found  the  city  in  the  possession  of  the 
English  and  French,  and  after  a sharp  collis- 
ion retired  “ with  the  promise  to  return  and 
drive  the  foreigners  into  the  sea.”  The  treaty 
between  the  allied  powers  and  China  in  Octo- 
ber ended  the  seclusion  of  China,  and  it  is 
lioped  prepared  the  way  for  the  final  estab- 
lishment of  Christianity  in  that  land.  Before 
affairs  quieted  down  and  plans  for  the  exten- 
sion of  the  work  into  the  interior  could  be  put 


22  American  Methodist  Missions. 

ill  operation  still  darker  clouds  gathered  over 
the  Mission. 

After  spending  nine  years  in  that  unhealthy 
climate,  Dr.  Cunnyngham  and  wife  were  as- 
sured by  their  physicians  that  they  could  not 
survive  another  season  in  Shanghai.  They 
left  for  the  United  States  on  October  5,  1861. 
Dr.  Lambuth  and  family  visited  home  in  1861, 
but  returned  to  China  in  1864.  In  1862  Dr. 
Jenkins  withdrew  from  the  Mission.  In  1864 
Mrs.  Wood  died  in  Shanghai,  and  in  1866 
Brother  Wood  brought  his  children  home. 

During  these  years  the  Civil  War  in  the 
United  States  had  cut  off  all  communications 
bilween  the  Church  at  home  and  its  Mission 
on  the  other  side  of  the  globe.  Drafts  which 
were  in  their  hands  were  generously  honored 
by  our  brethren  of  the  Northern  Church, 
affording,  however,  only  temporary  relief. 
They  were  soon  thrown  on  their  own  resourc- 
es. Bishop  McTyeire,  in  his  “History  of 
Methodism,”  thus  spoke  of  the  brave  spirit 
with  which  our  missionaries  in  China  met 
this  emergency:  “Dr.  Allen  found  employ- 
ment in  the  service  of  the  Chinese  Goviuii- 
ment,  in  its  translation  and  editorial  de])art- 
ment,  wdiich  gave  him  access  to  the  higher 
classes,  the  educated  Chinese,  and  opened  for 


Missions  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S. 


23 


him  the  opportunity  of  far  diffusing  Chris- 
tian thought  and  truth  through  native  chap- 
nels.  Along  with  this  work  he  continued  the 
ministry  of  the  word  as  he  was  able.  Both 
he  and  Dr.  Lambuth  supijorted  themselves 
during  those  trying  years,  and  carried  on  the 
mission  work  until  supplies  in  small  amounts 
began  to  reach  them — at  once  a relief  and  an 
assurance  that  the  Church  had  no  j^urpose  of 
abandoning  her  plans,  though  not  in  the  con- 
dition to  enlarge  them.” 

During  the  quadrenuium  ending  in  1870 
the  office  of  the  Board  of  Missions  was  located 
in  Baltimore.  Though  diligent  search  has 
been  made,  the  records  from  1866  to  1870 
have  not  been  found.  The  following  extract 
from  a paper  furnished  Dr.  Munsey  by  Dr. 
Cunnyngham  in  1870  suj^plies  a brief  account 
of  the  conditions  and  operations  of  the  Mis- 
sion up  to  that  date: 


The  Cliiiiii  IMission  has  been  in  existence  twenty-one 
yc'ars.  During  tliis  time  eiglit  missionaries,  witli  their 
families,  have  been  sent  out.  Two  female  memljers  of 
tlie  IMission  have  died,  and  one  of  the  missionaries. 
One  has  withdrawn  from  the  work,  four  returned,  and 
two  remain  in  the  field.  Between  fifty  and  sixty  na- 
tives have  been  baptized  and  admitted  to  full  member- 
ship in  the  M.  E.  Church,  South ; of  these,  six  have  died 


24 


American  Methodist  Missions. 


in  tlie  faith.  Two  native  preachers  of  great  gifts  and 
usefulness  have  finished  their  course  with  joy. 

The  mission  now  occupies  three  stations:  Shanghai, 
Soochow,  and  Nant'/.iang.  The  principal  station,  and 
that  at  which  both  Brothers  Allen  and  Lambuth  resitle, 
is  Shanghai.  The  property  belonging  to  the  Board  is 
cliietiy  at  this  point.  It  consists  of  dwelling-houses, 
chapels,  and  school-houses.  What  is  its  present  value 
I cannot  state  (the  value  of  real  estate  fluctuates  great- 
ly at  Shanghai)— I would  suppose  between  $15,000  and 
$20,000.  Brother  Allen  rej)orts  the  “property  intact, 
and  as  valuable  for  missionary  purposes  as  at  any  pre- 
vious period.”  It  has  not  been  neglected  or  suflered  to 
fall  into  decay.  It  is  amply  sufficient,  I understand,  to 
accommodate  one  or  two  more  mission  families.  If 
moi-e  missionaries  are  sent  out,  no  additional  expense 
for  houses  would  be  incurred.  A larger  house  for 
preaching  jnirposes  at  Shanghai  has  always  been  need- 
ed. There  are  only  two  small  chapels — one  in  the  city, 
the  other  outside  the  city  walls.  The  mission  is  out  of 
debt,  and  with  its  “property  intact,”  is  financially  in 
as  sound  a condition  as  before  the  war — thanks  to  the 
energy,  fidelity,  and  good  management  of  our  mission- 
aries. 

Of  the  general  state  of  the  Mission,  Brother  Allen 
says,  in  a communication  to  the  Georgia  Conference; 
“With  the  history  and  statistics  of  otlier  IMissions  be- 
fore me,  I do  not  hesitate  to  say  that  the  influence  of 
the  China  Mission  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  South,  is  in- 
creasing as  steadily  and  in  as  great  ratio  as  that  of  any 
other  Church  represented  liere,  and  that  it  has  every 
opportunity  and  assurance,  if  ]>roper!y  sustained  in  tlie 
future,  of  becoming  as  aggressive  and  useful  in  the 


25 


Missions  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S. 

East  as  the  Church  that  planted  it  is  in  the  West.”  He 
says,  in  a letter  dated  December  14, 1869;  “The  present 
year  has  been  one  of  great  encouragement  even  in  our 
own  Mission.  Our  work  has  been  extended  and  op- 
erated successful!}',  though  w’e  are  still  comparatively 
bound  to  Shanghai.  The  prospect  is  good,  therefore,  for 
a cheering  report  by  the  next  mail,  which  I hope  will 
be  in  time  fur  the  meeting  of  the  Board  in  March.” 

Rev.  J.  AV.  Lambuth  is  now  devoting  all  his  time  to 
I'egular  itinerant  missionary  labor.  He  travels  and 
preaches  through  the  country,  visiting  the  stations  at 
Soochow  and  Nantziang  and  other  cities  in  the  province. 
This  he  is  able  to  do  because  Brother  Allen  sur- 
renders his  part  of  the  appropriation  sent  by  the  Board 
to  him.  Brother  Allen's  Anglo-Chinese  school  furnish- 
ing him  ihe  means  of  support.  Brother  Lambuth  has 
associated  with  him  in  his  itinerant  work  a native 
Chinaman,  who  was  for  some  time  in  this  country  with 
Dr.  Kelley,  known  as  C.  K.  Marshall.  He  is  a young 
man  of  promise,  and  we  hope  will  make  an  efficient 
helper.  He  is  supported  by  Dr.  Deems’s  Church  in  New 
York.  Airs.  Lambuth  has  a girls’  school  of  twelve  pu- 
j'ils  under  her  care,  to  which  she  gives  much  of  her 
time,  and  from  which  good  fruit  may  be  expected  in 
due  time.  Brother  and  Sister  Lambuth  are  deeply 
j)ious,  earnest,  faithful,  efficient  missionaries. 

Rev.  Young  J.  Allen  has  charge  of  an  Anglo-Chinese 
school,  under  the  patronage  of  the  Chinese  Govern- 
ment, in  connection  with  the  native  college  at  Shang- 
hai. This  school  not  only  furnishes  him  the  means 
of  support,  but  an  opportunity  of  doing  much  good  as 
a missionary.  No  position  attainable  by  a missionary 
in  the  empire  affords  greater  facilities  for  usefulness 


2G 


American  Methodist  Missions. 


than  this.  He  is  also  editing  and  publishing  two  news- 
]iaj)ers  in  Chinese — one  a religions  paper,  the  other 
literary  and  scientific.  Both  })apers  have  a wide  cir- 
culation and  are  doing  good.  The  Church  paper — Mis- 
sionary Christian  Advocate — is  a beautiful  weekly  publi- 
cation of  sixteen  pages,  illustrated  by  neat  engi  avings 
of  Scripture  scenes,  etc.  I cannot  speak  too  highly  of 
this  2)aper  and  of  the  enterprise  and  taste  with  which 
it  is  conducted.  It  is  patronized  by  missionaries  and 
native  Christians  of  all  denominations.  Among  the 
most  frequent  and  able  contributors  to  its  columns  are 
the  native  preachers  of  China,  Notwithstanding  Broth- 
er Allen’s  hands  are  thus  full,  he  preaches  regularly  in 
Chinese  and  performs  his  part  of  regular  mission  work. 

Tlie  native  Church  is  growing  steadily,  though  slow- 
ly, in  numbers.  Our  missionaries  are  exceedingly  cau- 
tious in  receiving  candidates.  It  would  be  an  easy 
matter  to  swell  the  list  of  Chui'ch-members  rapidly,  and 
they  could  soon  astonish  the  anxious  doubters  at  home 
by  “great  successes,”  if  not  strictly  conscientious  in  ad- 
mitting none  to  membership  but  those  who  give  satis- 
factory proof  of  their  sincerity.  The  native  members 
are  active  in  their  efibrts  to  build  up  the  Church,  and 
liberal  with  their  means  in  its  support.  The  Chinese 
Christians  contribute  more  per  member  for  the  support 
of  the  gospel  than  the  Christians  in  this  country. 

Among  those  most  active  and  useful  in  the  Church 
at  Shanghai  is  a widow  woman  by  the  name  of  Quay. 
She  is  known  as  the  “ Bible-woman.”  She  spends  her 
time  in  distributing  Bibles  and  tracts,  praying  with  and 
exhorting  her  neighbors.  I baj'tized  her  and  knew 
her  well  for  years,  and  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that 
a more  consistent  Christian  I never  knew  at  home  or 


Missions  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S.  27 

abroad.  Many  will  rise  up  at  the  last  day  and  call  her 
blessed. 

As  the  year  1870  drew  to  a close  Eev.  Y.  J. 
Allen  wrote:  “We  review  the  year  with  pro- 
found gratitude  to  God,  whose  providence 
hath  shielded  us  and  our  work  during  its 
eventful  passage.  Kumors,  alarms,  and  dan- 
gers have  threatened  us  all  this  year,  and  in 
some  places  have  actually  culminated  in  real 
violence.  But  none  of  these  things  have 
moved  us,  except  it  be  to  renewed  devotion 
and  a more  entire  devotion  of  ourselves  to  the 
Lord  of  glory.  We  hope  to  date  from  this 
period  a turning  point  in  the  history  of  Mis- 
sions in  China,  and  have  no  doubt  the  crisis 
through  which  we  are  passing  will  accomplish 
that  long  desired  object,  to  wit:  the  arrest  of 
the  Chinese  mind,  and  the  wider  diffusion  of 
missionary  influence.  Our  own  Mission  work 
is  still  contracted,  and  comparatively  meager 
of  results,  from  lack  of  sufficient  re-enforce- 
ments and  qxialified  native  help,  but  it  is  not 
without  encouragement.”  We  mention  the 
two  native  helpers,  Dzau  (C.  K.  Marshall) 
and  Ying,  as  having  rendered  efficient  service. 
Dzau  was  stationed  at  Soochow,  whicli  had 
been  visited  by  Liew  in  1859.  At  that  place 
five  had  been  baptized  and  eight  were  on  pro- 


28  American  Methodist  Missions. 

bation.  Yiiig  bad  extended  bis  labor  from 
Sliangbai  to  tbe  Great  Lake,  and  bad  also  vis- 
ited Nantsiang,  when  two  persons  bad  been 
baptized.  Tbe  two  Bible-women  were  active- 
ly at  work  visiting  the  homes  of  all  who  would 
receive  them,  and  exhorting  and  jjraying  with 
all  who  were  seeking  tbe  truth  as  it  is  in  Je- 
sus. Several  of  tbe  probationers  bad  been 
brought  into  that  relation  by  tbe  labors  of  tbe 
Bible-women.  One  of  these  Bible-women  was 
Quay,  who  bad  been  baptized  by  Dr.  Cnn- 
nyngbam  at  the  first  Quarterly  Conference  in 
1855.  The  two  boarding  - schools  bad  22 
boarders  and  10  day  scholars.  Tbe  Chinese 
Christian  Advocate,  published  by  Brother  Al- 
len, was  now  in  its  third  year.  Though  not 
exclusively  religions,  it  was  open  to  the  dis- 
cussion of  all  questions  pertinent  to  mission- 
ary work.  Its  circulation  extended  from 
Shanghai  and  the  regions  round  about  to  For- 
mosa, Hong  Kong,  Singapore,  Mongolia,  and 
Japan.  It  had  the  sanction  of  more  than 
twenty  Missions,  was  subscribed  for  and 
read  by  a large  number  of  the  literati  and 
mandarins  and  sold  in  the  streets  of  Peking. 
It  enabled  the  missionary  to  confront,  among 
the  higher  classes,  tlie  errors  that  prevailed 
among  them.  It  is  not  every  one  who  can 


29 


Missions  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S. 

make  a paper  or  magazine  a success  either  at 
home  or  in  the  mission  field.  The  man  who 
achieves  the  success  has  multiplied  his  influ- 
ence many  fold.  The  “Preachers’  Text  Book,” 
sent  out  by  Dr.  Summers  for  that  purpose, 
was  translated  and  ready  for  press.  The 
status  of  the  work  was  shown  by  the  following 
figures.  Two  foreign  missionaries  with  their 
families,  two  student  native  helpers,  two 
Bible-women,  fifty-six  native  members,  four- 
teen probationers. 

The  following  extract  from  a letter  written 
January  29,  1871,  from  Brother  Allen  to  W. 
H.  Foster,  superintendent  of  the  Felicity 
Street  Sunday-school,  N.  O.,  indicates  the 
character  and  results  of  Sunday-school  work 
in  Shanghai; 

I have  previously  had  occasion  to  mention  to  you 
the  great  interest  the  school  seemed  to  take,  in  being 
instructed,  and  how  hopeful  the  indications  that  before 
long  signal  results  might  be  expected;  but  even  my 
fondest  anticipations  had  not  foreseen  the  pleasure  of 
this  day.  ’Twas  in  the  Sabbath-school,  and  during  the 
closing  exercises,  about  half- past  4 o’clock  p.m.,  that 
Pay  Yoong-Tsung,  a boy  of  fourteen  years,  the  son  of  a 
military  officer,  and  a most  serious,  thoughtful  youth, 
arose  from  his  seat,  and,  addressing  me,  said;  “ I would 
like  to  join  the  Church.”  His  modest  manner  and  the 
tremulousness  of  his  voice  attested  his  sincerity,  and  I 
Avas  surprised  to  find  that  a similar  feeling  and  a like 


30  American  Methodist  Missions. 

earnestness  on  the  subject  cliaractcrized  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  school. 

When  he  sat  down,  Yang  Tuh  Kwe  arose  and  urged 
a like  request,  and  thus  did  they  all.  I was  astonished; 
the  scene  took  me  unawares.  I could  but  pray : “ Lord, 
increase  my  faith ! ” The  children  wept.  I wept  too. 
Then  we  sung,  “Happy  day,  0 happy  day,  that  fixed  my 
choice,”  and  knelt  together,  as  we  never  knelt  before,  to 
pray  for  pardon,  forgiveness,  and  acceptance.  My  soul 
yearned  for  them  as  we  drew  nearer  and  nearer  to  God 
in  prayer.  Our  hearts  were  softened,  melted,  as  we 
bowed  together.  The  children  dedicated  themselves 
voluntarily  to  God.  We  arose,  and  I received  them  in 
the  name  of  the  Saviour,  and  placed  their  names  on  the 
list  of  probationers.  Thank  God  for  the  scene  of  this 
day!  thank  God  for  the  kind  friends  of  Felicity  Sti'eet, 
New  Orleans ! A good  work  is  begun ; the  Lord  is  with 
us,  and  it  shall  go  on.  Who  shall  hinder  it?  Pray  for 
us,  my  brother.  Tell  your  school  to  praise  God  for  his 
blessings  on  their  gifts,  and  pray  for  yet  a larger  mani- 
festation, both  among  themselves  and  us. 

The  labors  of  our  two  faithful  missionaries 
in  1871  were  still  confined  to  Shanghai  and 
its  vicinity,  with  Dzau  at  Soochow  and  Ying 
in  Shanghai  and  interior  towns  and  cities. 
In  addition  to  the  chapel  at  Shanghai  there 
was  one  at  Soochow  and  another  at  Nantziang. 
The  last-named  place  is  mentioned  as  “ a large 
village  of  thirty  thousand  inhabitants,  about 
fifteen  miles  from  Shanghai.”  They  were  anx- 
ious to  occupy  Kading,  a walled  town  eight 


31 


Missio)is  of  the  M.  E.  C.,  S. 

miles  from  Nantziang,  where  a lot  had  been 
secured.  The  religious  interest  in  the  Sun- 
day-school was  continued.  A house  was  pre- 
pared for  the  girls’  boarding-school  at  a cost 
of  $300,  which  was  contributed  by  friends  in 
Shanghai.  Brother  Dzau  had  charge  of  a 
day-school  in  Soochow,  with  eight  scholars. 
00,000  copies  of  the  Chinese  Christian  Advo- 
cate were  printed  during  the  year;  and  of 
these,  50,000  were  sold.  The  membership  re- 
ported in  1871  was  68. 

The  following  extract  from  a letter  from 
Brother  Lambuth,  published  in  the  annual 
report,  exhibits  the  .condition  of  the  work  in 
1872: 

Tlie  number  of  additions  to  the  Church  the  past 
year,  ending  1872,  has  been  eleven.  Three  have  died, 
and  two  have  been  excluded  from  the  Church.  One 
man  has  withdrawn  his  membership  and  returned  to 
the  London  Mission.  There  were  eleven  probationers, 
at  the  close  of  the  year,  in  Shanghai,  and  three  in  Soo- 
chow. Number  of  churches,  three — one  at  Shanghai, 
one  at  Nantziang,  and  one  at  Soochow.  In  Shanghai  there 
are  two  boarding-schools  for  boys,  numbering  twenty- 
one  boarders  and  eight  day  scholars.  In  Shanghai, 
boarding-school  for  girls,  one;  number  of  boarders, 
nine,  and  three  day  scholars.  One  day-school  in  Soo- 
chow of  twelve  boys.  Two  Bible-women  engaged  in 
the  work  in  Shanghai ; two  Sabbath-schools  of  about 
forty  persons. 


32 


American  Methodist  Missions. 


The  work  among  the  women  in  Shanghai  the  pagt 
year  has  given  us  great  encouragement,  and  we  trust 
that  the  coming  year  this  work  of  grace  may  be  more 
abundantly  manifest,  and  that  many  souls  may  be  con- 
verted to  God.  Our  congregations  in  the  city  of  Shang- 
hai have  been,  for  the  most  part,  large  and  attentive. 
During  the  year  almost  daily  services  have  been  kejit 
up  eat;h  day  of  the  week,  and  three  services  on  the 
Sabbath,  in  and  out  of  the  city. 


